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Sports
Updated September 3, 2025
Courtney Dauwalter
Courtney Dauwalter is an ultrarunner who has won some of the world's most difficult endurance races. Her significance lies in pushing the limits of human endurance and dominating in both men's and women's competitions.
Notable Facts
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Ultra Running Champion
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Extreme Endurance Athlete
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Trail & Ultra Marathon Winner
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Mental Fortitude & Perseverance
Career Highlights
Background
Courtney Dauwalter holds a degree in Integrative Physiology from the University of Colorado Boulder. Her early career was in education, working as a science teacher at a middle school, before she transitioned to pursuing ultrarunning full-time.
Major Contributions
Courtney Dauwalter's primary contributions are in the sport of ultrarunning, defined by her record-setting performances in some of the world's most challenging endurance events. Her achievements are not inventions or theories, but rather demonstrations of extreme human endurance and a unique approach to the sport's mental and physical demands.
First female to win the Big's Backyard Ultra outright, setting a last-one-standing world record by running 279.268 miles.
Winner of the Triple Crown of 200s in 2023, completing the Tahoe 200, Cocodona 250, and Moab 240 in a single year.
Course record holder at the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB), a 106-mile race around Mont Blanc.
Champion of the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run.
Impact on their Field
Dauwalter's impact on ultrarunning is significant. Her success has challenged preconceived notions about the limits of female athletic performance, often competing in and winning races outright against entire fields of male and female competitors. Her consistent performance at the highest level has brought increased media attention and visibility to the sport. Furthermore, her public discussions about managing pain, sleep deprivation, and hallucinations during multi-day events have contributed to the broader conversation on the psychology of extreme endurance.
Current Work/Relevance
Courtney Dauwalter remains an active and dominant competitor on the global ultrarunning circuit. She continues to participate in and is a favorite to win major 100-mile and multi-day ultramarathons. Her current relevance is maintained through her ongoing athletic pursuits, her role as a sponsored athlete for several prominent outdoor and nutrition brands, and her presence in documentaries and media that explore the extremes of human endurance.
Courtney Dauwalter holds a degree in Integrative Physiology from the University of Colorado Boulder. Her early career was in education, working as a science teacher at a middle school, before she transitioned to pursuing ultrarunning full-time.
Major Contributions
Courtney Dauwalter's primary contributions are in the sport of ultrarunning, defined by her record-setting performances in some of the world's most challenging endurance events. Her achievements are not inventions or theories, but rather demonstrations of extreme human endurance and a unique approach to the sport's mental and physical demands.
Impact on their Field
Dauwalter's impact on ultrarunning is significant. Her success has challenged preconceived notions about the limits of female athletic performance, often competing in and winning races outright against entire fields of male and female competitors. Her consistent performance at the highest level has brought increased media attention and visibility to the sport. Furthermore, her public discussions about managing pain, sleep deprivation, and hallucinations during multi-day events have contributed to the broader conversation on the psychology of extreme endurance.
Current Work/Relevance
Courtney Dauwalter remains an active and dominant competitor on the global ultrarunning circuit. She continues to participate in and is a favorite to win major 100-mile and multi-day ultramarathons. Her current relevance is maintained through her ongoing athletic pursuits, her role as a sponsored athlete for several prominent outdoor and nutrition brands, and her presence in documentaries and media that explore the extremes of human endurance.
Personal Story
Who They Are
Courtney Dauwalter is an American ultrarunner from Minnesota, now living in Colorado. She wasn't always a professional athlete; she was a science teacher and cross-country coach before deciding to pursue running full-time. Her journey into the extreme world of ultrarunning began with marathons and 50-kilometer races, but she quickly discovered a remarkable talent for pushing her mind and body far beyond conventional limits. Known for her positive attitude and signature shorts, she has become a beloved and dominant figure in a sport defined by its grueling physical and mental challenges.
Why They Matter
Courtney Dauwalter matters because she has redefined what is possible in endurance sports. Her list of victories reads like a catalog of the world's toughest footraces, often beating the entire field—both men and women. This rare feat is known as winning outright.
Key achievements include:
Winning the Moab 240, a 238-mile race through the Utah desert, by a staggering 10-hour margin.
Securing the triple crown of ultrarunning in 2017 by winning the Western States 100, the Hardrock 100, and the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) in the same season.
Setting a new course record at the historic Hardrock 100 endurance run.
Repeatedly winning the UTMB, one of the most prestigious trail races in the world.
What They’re Known For
Courtney is best known for her incredible performances in some of the longest and most difficult races on the planet. Her popular work isn't a single project but a series of awe-inspiring victories that capture the public's imagination. The Moab 240 win, in particular, catapulted her into the mainstream, showcasing her ability to run for days with little to no sleep. Beyond the trophies, she is famous for her unique approach to the immense pain and sleep deprivation inherent in these events. She often speaks about the "pain cave" and her strategy of using a positive mental attitude to break through low points, making her a fascinating subject for both sports fans and those interested in the power of the human spirit.
Courtney Dauwalter is an American ultrarunner from Minnesota, now living in Colorado. She wasn't always a professional athlete; she was a science teacher and cross-country coach before deciding to pursue running full-time. Her journey into the extreme world of ultrarunning began with marathons and 50-kilometer races, but she quickly discovered a remarkable talent for pushing her mind and body far beyond conventional limits. Known for her positive attitude and signature shorts, she has become a beloved and dominant figure in a sport defined by its grueling physical and mental challenges.
Why They Matter
Courtney Dauwalter matters because she has redefined what is possible in endurance sports. Her list of victories reads like a catalog of the world's toughest footraces, often beating the entire field—both men and women. This rare feat is known as winning outright.
Key achievements include:
What They’re Known For
Courtney is best known for her incredible performances in some of the longest and most difficult races on the planet. Her popular work isn't a single project but a series of awe-inspiring victories that capture the public's imagination. The Moab 240 win, in particular, catapulted her into the mainstream, showcasing her ability to run for days with little to no sleep. Beyond the trophies, she is famous for her unique approach to the immense pain and sleep deprivation inherent in these events. She often speaks about the "pain cave" and her strategy of using a positive mental attitude to break through low points, making her a fascinating subject for both sports fans and those interested in the power of the human spirit.
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